When it comes to running Microsoft Windows Server or Microsoft SQL Server in AWS, there are currently three options regarding licensing:
- Simply pay the normal AWS fee for Windows Server instances (on-demand, spot, reserved). These fees are typically more than same-sized instances of other operating systems. See: https://aws.amazon.com/windows/resources/licensing/#launch
- Provision an AWS Dedicated Host (https://aws.amazon.com/ec2/dedicated-hosts/) and use the existing Cornell Microsoft licensing (http://www.it.cornell.edu/services/software_licensing/available/windows.cfm). This is because the existing Cornell Microsoft licensing is limited to computers “owned” by Cornell. Microsoft considers instances running Windows software running on Cornell-provisioned AWS Dedicated Hosts as “owned” by Cornell (not so for instances running elsewhere on AWS). https://aws.amazon.com/windows/resources/licensing/#dedicated
- For MS SQL Serve running in AWS RDS, you can use License Mobility: https://aws.amazon.com/windows/resources/licensing/#mobility.
- See the diagram below for setting BYO licensing for Microsoft SQL Server to AWS RDS. The "Licensing Mobility" has already been worked out between Cornell and Microsoft (and AWS) so selecting "bring-your-own-license" and checking the "I acknowledge..." box should be all you need to do.
- The RDS pricing page shows pricing separately for BYO licensing: https://aws.amazon.com/rds/sqlserver/pricing/
